The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-11-10
a NOBLE VICTORY.

~ hudson manage to get their living.
IAey are ali fishermen, and the sea is
their zeal nome, on which they 90 out for
miles % c; 81 their nets. When the sun
shines on smooth surface it is au exhiar-
ating occupation, ont when sudden storm
springs up while The boats are far from
land a1d tos settles down upon the wa
ter Ike broad, heavy mantle, then one
del san Is how hard are the conditions
AL tie perpetual dasGer qttcnding the
bread.
have pulled in to land. Two men are still
working to save their property in the
same way They are both young, large,
vigorous men, with sun burned faces and
toll hardened hands
At last their boats too rest on the shore
firmly secured. Lars" said one of the
men, Strengthening up, and buttoning his
short jacket, "this will be fierce blow
tonight"
The other nodded: "It is lucky that
none at US are out"
Meanwhile they have started home
ward and stride along together in silence.
The only street Of the village is quiet.
1t is dark, here and there a faint light
cleaning from little window.
They arc passing small house, and al
most az if by secret agreement, they
approach and glance through the lighted
window to the inside An old man with
white hair and beard sits in large arm
chair; his head has fallen forward on his
breast-a picture of the life fast sinking
to rest. Al the table, on the opposite
side, sits, IN bright contrast, young girl,
sewing fresh, lovely face, with round,
rosy checks and luxuriant, fair hair.
kale Mason is the prettiest girl in the
village, and the most industrious, on
whom many young fellow looks with
earnest glance Early and late she Is
busy, supporting herself and her aged
father by her own hands.
The loterers at the window have
turned and gone on their wav. At last
Lars said Good night. Christoph,"
and crossed the street to his home. He
had heard the reply to his greeting, and
how waited and listened, standing by the
fence that inclosed his little tract of
ground. Christoph had not gone in, but
had turned back-lor what? Lars felt
msgivng. He, too, hastened back.
The wind drives iull in his face, but he
does not heed. Now he hears Christoph's
steps before him, but cannot see, for it is
very dark. There stands the little house
where Kate Mason lives. Christoph
stands by the window. Lars sees him
plainly in the light of the lamp that falls
full upon him. He hears a tap on the
window, and now Christoph has his hand
on the door, and it opens before him.
"Thou, Christoph? What brings the so
latc:" asked Kate, holding on to the door,
which the storm was shaking.
Il was passing and saw thee sitting, so
| stopped to bid thee sleep WE'LL"
'Thou dear.' she said, putting out her
hand.
The wind seized the door thus set free,
and flung it wide open against the wall.
But Christoph, using all his strength,
drew the girl into the hall and closed the
door Lars grew hot under his coarse
Jacket; hot in spite of the clustering
wind He stepped close to the door and
heard speaking within, but could not dis
tinguish anything. He waited, his heart
tiled with the pangs of jealousy. How
long he stood he knew not it seemed an
eternity to him. At last the door opened
and Chrstoph stepped out. "Sleep well,
dear girl he whispered. "Goodby, dear
Christoph." The key was turned in the
lock. Christoph went home, the joy of
love requited in his heart. The other,
too, turned homeward, but long time
passed before he reached the little house.
They had grown up together-Lars,
Christoph and Katie. The three had
played together continually as children,
and Katie would be carried by none others
or drawn on the sled by none but Lars or
Christoph. When they grew larger they
went to school together and were con-
6rmed together in the little church OF the
neighboring village. No strife had ever
come between them, never had the girl
shown whether she had preferred one OF
the lads to the other. AS these developed
into strong men, Katie bloomed into still
greater beauty, as was apparent to other
young men of the village, and Rob Stef-
fol ventured TO intimate as much, in rough
fashion. to the girl. The following day
his place in the boat was empty; he was
sick. his father said the truth was, Rob
would not show his discolored face. From
that time the young fellows held them
selves aloof from Katie Mason. But be-
tween Lars aud Christoph the old inti-
macy began gradually to diminish. They
went with Katie to her first dance. Who
should be her first partner :? They dis
puted long over it out of the girls hear
ing, and At last, with heated faces, ap-
pealed to her to choose between them
Katie looked at them, and for the FIRST
time felt . misgiving that if she chose
one the other woald be deeply hurt. 80
she said at makes NO difference TO me
which I dance with first, but if It Is OF
SO much account to you draw cuts" Iney